The Ministry of Health warned on March 24 that sleep disorders are becoming increasingly common among older adults, with significant effects on their physical and mental health. Dr. Alfredo Stuart Barreto, a geriatrician at the Neurology Service of the Department of Medicine at Hospital Nacional Cayetano Heredia, said conditions such as difficulty falling asleep, frequent awakenings, and obstructive sleep apnea are major concerns for this population.
The issue is important because poor sleep not only reduces daily functioning but also increases the risk of anxiety, depression, neurodegenerative diseases like dementia, falls, fractures, hospitalizations, and loss of independence among older adults.
“The origin of these disorders is multifactorial. Factors like anxiety, depression, obesity, stress as well as the use of certain medications such as diuretics contribute significantly to their appearance. In addition, exposure to screens during the night reduces melatonin production which worsens insomnia,” Dr. Stuart said.
He added that sleeping less than needed can increase risks for developing anxious-depressive disorders and long-term neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia. Daytime drowsiness is closely linked to falls and other injuries in older people. “Sleep disorders create a vicious cycle that may lead to excessive use of psychotropic drugs—especially benzodiazepines—which can cause dependence and increase fall risk,” he said.
Dr. Stuart also pointed out a direct relationship between insomnia or obstructive sleep apnea with depression, dementia and higher cardiovascular mortality rates. He emphasized early detection and proper management: “It is essential to prevent these disorders from becoming chronic. In some cases—especially patients with dementia—it may be necessary to use medication to regulate the sleep-wake cycle under medical supervision.”
